COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Introduction to the fundamentals of modern statistics, descriptive statistics. Primarily for students in fields other than mathematics who need a working knowledge of statistics.

PREREQUISITES:  Placement above AMTH108 , or grade of C or better in AMTH 108, or consent of department.

TEXTBOOK &Equipment:

• Interactive Statistics, Third Edition, by Martha Aliaga and Brenda Gunderson, Prentice Hall, 2006
• TI-83 , TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Graphing Calculator

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Develop a basic understanding of statistics
  
• Develop an understanding of connection between the concept of statistics and real life.
  
• Be able to solve real life problems as applications of these concepts.

COURSE ORGANIZATION & TOPICS TO BE COVERED: This course is taught with interactive statistics. The instructor may present the basic concept and lead students through one or two Let's do it exercises. Then student will work in group on other exercises. This course encourages hands-on exploration of statistical concepts.  Please be prepared before you come to the class.

Topics include:

• Descriptive statistics definitions, data collection.
• Graphical presentations of data.
• Elementary probability concepts.
• Probability distributions, binomial distribution, mean, variance and standard deviation of probability distribution.
• Normal distributions, standard normal distribution.
• Estimating population means and proportions Hypothesis testing.
• Inferential statistics from two samples: large and independent, matched pairs, and two proportions.
• Chi-square and analysis of variance.

GRADING POLICY: Two major tests: 30% Homework & Participation:  20% Homework Quizzes:   20% Cumulative Final Exam: 30%

GRADING SCALE: 90-100 A, 86-89 B+ 80-85 B, 75-79 C+ 70-74 C, 65-69 D+ 60-64 D, 0-59 F

Homework and Quiz: Most of the homework will not be collected. A few sets of comprehensive homework questions will be collected and graded. Assignments are collected at the beginning of class on due date.  All work, whether it uses standard or symbolic writing, must be presented in a clear and logical form. Points may be deducted for bad style and sloppiness and exceptionally messy work may not be graded.  Please check the course website for homework information and due date. Before each class, read the sections that will be covered during that class. After each class, review the material covered in class, do homework problems, and read the sections to be covered in the next class.
We will have short homework quiz(10-15 min) roughly every week. Most questions of the quiz are conceptual questions or similar questions from the let's do it exercises and homework problems. The lowest score of quizzes will be dropped.

Late Homework Policy: No late homework will be accepted. If you miss the class, it is your responsibility to submit homework assignment on time.

Participation: The grade of participation will be based on the attendance and in-class lab exercises.

Major tests: There will be two literacy tests given throughout the semester. Each test will be approximately 75 minutes in length. Please check the tentative schedule for test dates. NO MAKE-UP on tests will be given. If you miss the test and present a valid excuse within one week after the test date, final exam grade will replace that test grade.

FINAL EXAM: Final exam is on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 2:00-5:00pm in the same room the class has met all semester. The final exam is a cumulative exam and will cover all of the material covered in class. You can not pass the course without taking the final exam.

NOTES:

1. Help: Please feel free to contact me if you need help. You can also visit Math Lab  where there are tutors available to assist you. Work Hard, You will Succeed!
2. Attendance Policy: Class attendance is required. It is highly recommended that you do not miss any class. You cannot readily make up the material missed if you are absent. More than 4 unexcused absences may result in a grade of F for the course. Excused absences may be granted for documented incapacitating illness, official representation of the University, death of a close relative, religious holidays, jury duty, or subpoena to appear in court.  Arriving late or leaving early will count as 1/2 absence.
3. Special Circumstance: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B& E 126, (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Office of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
4. Academic Honesty: Please read and review the Academic Code of Conduct relating to Academic Honesty located in USC Aiken Student Handbook, 2007-2008, pages 18-21. If you are found to be in violation of this Code of Honesty, a grade of F(0) may be given for the work. Additionally, a grade of F may be assigned for the course and/or further sanctions may be pursued. Information can also be found on http://www.usca.edu/studenthandbook/judicial.html .
   
5. CELL PHONES/PAGERS: As a courtesy to the class, cell phones and pagers should be placed in such a mode that they will not disturb the class.

Tentative Schedule: